If ill-fitting earbuds are the best you’ve got, it’s time for an upgrade. It’s not difficult to get more from your music with the right equipment, but confusing model numbers and so much technical language can be overwhelming. Whether you want to turn it up to 11 on vinyl or get more bass for your buck, following these tips will take your listening experience to the next level.

Photos b John Meguerian / North by Northwestern.

RECORD PLAYERS

For easier setup, get an automatic turntable. Click a button and the needle drops for you. Tim Bee, manager of Vintage Vinyl on Davis St., recommends the Audio-Technica AT-PL60 ($95, Amazon.com).

“Your records are the real thing where the quality is going to show,” Bee says. The Audio- Technica model has a dust cover that keeps your records nice and clean.
For the mobile student who still wants that vinyl sound, Bee recommends the Ion Audio iPROFILE to iPod DJ Conversion Turntable ($125, Amazon.com). A dock transfers your records to your iPod.

The Technics SL-1200MK2 was perfect for DJs until the model was recently discon- tinued. Instead, try the comparable Technics SL-1200MK5 ($900, Panasonic.com)

HEADPHONES

Headphones need to withstand the wear and tear of a busy schedule. Weinberg sophomore Justin Lehmann, who DJs under the name Brookah, has had the Bose QuietComfort 2 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones since the seventh grade ($400, Amazon.com).

Wearing headphones for hours can get uncomfortable. Communication sophomore Jeremy Shpizner, who mixes audio for Freshman Fifteen concerts, recommends the “pillowy and delightful” Sony MDR-XB500 ($50.76, Amazon.com). Beats by Dr. Dre Solo High Performance Headphones bring out the bass in hip-hop music ($180, Amazon.com). “It’s a great investment if you’re using them in your house or for recording purposes,” Shpizner says. But the absolute best for recording purposes are the Sony MDR7506 ($130, Sony.com).

If you are going to walk around wearing headphones, you’ve got to look good, right? The WeSC Bongo headphones come in every color imaginable ($20–$95, Amazon.com).